ShellseaStudio
Inspiration Seeker

When is the 2976-E custom form needed? + question about tracking

Hi, I'm new to international shipping and I've done a lot of research but I'm still a little confused on a few things. For reference, I buy my shipping labels through Etsy and am planning to ship with USPS.

1. When do I need to attach a 2976-E custom form? I read on an old thread that it is NOT required for USPS First Class but IS required for USPS Priority, is this true? Also, how would I attach it if my packages are smaller than the customs form envelope? (I use 4x8" bubble mailers)

2. I'm thinking of shipping only to countries that USPS provides Delivery Confirmation for extra security, but is there any way to find out which ones have guaranteed Tracking as well?

Sorry for the excess of questions, but I'd be extremely grateful if someone was able to answer even one of them!
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GoTo
Crafty Poster

Re: When is the 2976-E custom form needed? + question about tracking

I know international shipping can be scary when you are just testing the waters, but it really is not a big deal. You'll get the swing of it soon enough and see that it's not too different from domestic shipping with the exception of the customs form.

If you use Etsy's shipping labels (and you should--better prices, easy to get your orders out), Etsy will auto-generate the customs form you need for you. You'll need to check that the details are accurate, but you don't even have to decide which form to use--they do that.

Just to clarify--2976-E custom form is actually a plastic envelope into which you put the customs form--the form itself is 2976-A. You can order the envelopes online and have them on hand just in case you need them, or ask for a few at the counter in your local PO:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?categoryNavIds=catGetMailingShippingS...

They are pretty big, sometimes we need to cut them down a bit to fit on bubble mailers for our supply shop orders.
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GoTo
Crafty Poster

Re: When is the 2976-E custom form needed? + question about tracking

For your items, I would think most customers would be happy with First Class International which is the most affordable and is reliable. It is rare to have a package go missing permanently.

Sometimes First Class packages arrive in under a week, 2 to 3 weeks is the norm.

4 to 5 weeks happens every once in a while and up to 6 weeks is not unheard of--most cases where a package takes that long, the customer already knows that their country's postal service or their country's customs department is slow.

Just put a note in your shop policies explaining that international orders generally take between 2 and 6 weeks to arrive & that customers are responsible for any taxes or fees their customs department says are due.

Many countries will track First Class Packages, but unless you are paying something like $40 in shipping you won't get a guarantee of tracking in another country. At the very least, the customs form number allows you to see your package as it travels in the US, and sometimes picks up in the receiving country again.

If you are concerned about missing/damaged packages, you might want to consider self-insurance. We do it for all orders--domestic and international:

What is Self-Insurance?
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/2012/10/17/what-is-self-insurance


Hope that helps!
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ShellseaStudio
Inspiration Seeker

Re: When is the 2976-E custom form needed? + question about tracking

Wow GoTo, thank you so much! I had a lot of concerns and I think you've answered all my questions. I haven't received any international orders yet, but I feel a lot more prepared and informed on the process so thank you again! :)
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GoTo
Crafty Poster

Re: When is the 2976-E custom form needed? + question about tracking

You're welcome! I've got a blog with more shipping and business start up help if you are interested--for the questions you haven't thought of yet. :)

Shipping Basics
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/shipping/

For the current shipping rates please see the USPS website as I haven't been able to update the rates on my blog recently. With Etsy labels, we get the "Commercial Prices"--you can see how the discounts add up:

http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/notice123.htm


US: Sales Tax & Business Registration--Links to Official Government Websites
http://www.gotogreatpanes.com/blog/sales-tax-business-registration/


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